Warioware: DIY Review (DS)

So this was released a while ago (2010 to be precise), but I still believe that this is one of the best unheard of (relatively) games on the DS. While the system may be being overtaken by its 3D big brother, it’s probably a better time than ever to hunt down the classics that you never played. One of those is Warioware: DIY. For those unfamiliar with the Warioware format, (shame on you) the idea is that you have these microgames that last anywhere from 2 to 5 seconds. As you play more games, things get faster and more difficult. After 50 or so, you’re a one man/woman microgame machine. The range of microgames available already when you first plug in the cartridge is quite large, about 60 or so with various themes ranging from brainteasers to disco. Some can be pretty strange, for instance the word ‘Pick!’ will suddenly appear and you have to then pick the nose, onto the next. While they can be slow to start, when they kick in, it’s a rollicking ride of fun, endlessly charming you with the cartoon-y visuals and chirpy 8-bit music. So then, what’s the DIY part? That comes in the fact you can make your own microgames, comics and music. This is the main reason that you buy this game, if I’m honest. The clue’s in the title, and if you can’t discern what this game is about based on the title, then there’s no helping you. Sorry. Now, if making a game sounds daunting to you, don’t worry. The game does a really good job of making 2 hour tutorials interesting, which sounds unbelievable. However, Wario is learning alongside you, and he chips in with a funny joke every now and then. It makes it simple to create great microgames, and you can take any of the in game microgames and pick them apart to see how they were made. This is very useful for gaining techniques, which you later put into practice when making your games. If you are the creative type, then you’ll have a million and one ideas already, sadly if you’re like me you’ll have 5. That said I find that when I’m doing stuff that is quite boring, like the washing-up, I will suddenly think, “This would make a great Warioware microgame.” and I then go and make it.

You get out what you put in

However, the world of Warioware: DIY is not just limited to microgames. Oh no. There is also a comic creator, which allows you to make 4-panel comics, again, with previous Warioware artists making their own contributions to inspire you. There are a few drawbacks to this, in that the comics are monochrome, only using black and white. This may sound like the game hamstringing you, but it forces you to be creative in the way that you write and draw these comics. However, if you are the aforementioned creative type you’ll get loads of use out of it. If you’re like me, then it runs out of enjoyment fairly quickly as you weep that you aren’t as good as the pre-packaged Picasso’s in the game. There is the same problem with the music maker too, which allows you to create full length tracks of up to 3 or 4 minutes, if you have the time and talent. The sheer range of instruments available is incredible, and the things that you could do with it is fantastic. However, it’s the comic creator all over again, since it would take hours upon hours to make a pitch-perfect brilliant tune that sounds like the original. Some may want to buy Warioware: DIY and only use the music or comic creator and get hours of fun out of it. All in all then, Warioware: DIY is a sound package which can deliver hour after hour of fun and enjoyment for most people that come to it. I almost feel that what I should be doing is reviewing the player, not the game. ‘You get out what you put in’ has never been more true in a game, if you want to have a great game, you have to put in a few hours for a few seconds of gameplay. Seems like a raw deal, but it really isn’t.

The Good: Really in depth, a lot to do, a lot to laugh at, fun tutorials, brilliant in-game microgames.The Bad: Creating your own games can be daunting, only really suited to certain types of games.